Apparatus for heating fluids

Abstract

The apparatus described herein uses a disc wafer-type rotor featuring channels disposed around its circumference and around the interior circumference of the rotor housing specifically to induce cavitation. The channels are shaped to control the size, oscillation, composition, duration, and implosion of the cavitation bubbles. The rotor is attached to a shaft which is driven by external power means. Fluid pumped into the device is subjected to the relative motion between the rotor and the device housing, and exits the device at increased temperature. The device is thermodynamically highly efficient, despite the structural and mechanical simplicity of the apparatus. Such devices accordingly provide efficient, simple, inexpensive, and reliable sources of distilled potable water for residential, commercial, and industrial use, as well as the separation and evaporation of other liquids.

1 . An apparatus for inducing cavitation in a fluid in order to heat said fluid, said apparatus comprising:
 A rotor having a first set of indentations disposed around its circumference and   A rotor housing having a second set of indentations opposing said first set of indentations;   Said rotor and said housing defining a cavity through which said fluid passes, wherein cavitation is induced in said fluid by the relative motion of said fluid between said first set and said second set of indentations.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first set of indentations are channels across the width of the rotor, and said second set of indentations are channels extending across the width of the rotor housing. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said first set of indentations and said second set of indentations are linear. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said first set of indentations and said second set of indentations are curvilinear. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said first set and said second set of indentations are open-ended polygons when viewed in cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said fluid is pumped through said cavity by a pump. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said fluid is contaminated frac water 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said first surface and said second surface are separated by a distance of approximately 0.250 inch 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein optimum cavitation generation is achieved when said rotor is rotated at 1600-4000 RPM 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for inducing cavitation in a fluid in order to heat said fluid, said apparatus comprising:
 A first surface having a first set of indentations thereon,   A second surface having a second set of indentations thereon and opposing said first set of indentations, said second surface moving relative to said first surface   Wherein relative motion between said fluid and said first and said second surfaces within a cavity induces cavitation in said fluid.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said first surface is a rotor housing and said second surface is a rotor, wherein said rotor housing and said rotor define a cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said second surface is a disc-wafer shaped rotor 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein fluids are pumped through said cavity by a pump. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said fluid is contaminated frac water. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said first surface and said second surface are separated by a distance of approximately 0.250 inch. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said rotor is rotated at 1800-4000 RPM. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said first set and said second set of indentations are open-ended polygons when viewed in cross-section. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for purifying polluted fluids using cavitation-induced heating of said fluid, comprising:
 A cavitation generator, comprising,
 A first set of channels disposed around the circumference of a disc-wafer type rotor; 
 A second set of channels disposed around the interior circumference of a rotor housing; and 
 A motor driving said rotor; 
 Wherein said second set of channels is complimentary to said first set of channels, wherein said first set of channels moves relative to said second set of channels; wherein the shape of such channels is adapted to enhance the generation of cavitation in fluid within a cavity defined by said rotor and said rotor housing; wherein the collapse of bubbles generated by said cavitation generates heat that is imparted to said fluid; 
   A steam generation tank;   A recirculation pump; and   A heat exchanger;   Wherein water heated in said cavitation generator is recirculated from said cavitation generator to said steam generation tank until steam in said steam generation tank which flows through said heat exchanger.